• Dr. R. Arumugam
• Sridevi K

Abstract Current study was aimed to investigate the role of exogenous application of proline on physiological adaptability and flower quality of common marigold (Tagetes erecta L) cultivated using sea water. Salinity beyond 25 dsm-1 severely hindered the growth of marigold and with increasing sea water salinity from 6 to 12 dsm-1, all of growth parameter, phytochemicals were reduced. But, the exogenous addition of proline sustained the growth of all the plants with increasing salinity up to 9 dsm-1 beyond that the effects were insignificant. The salinity tolerance index (STI) increased with increasing salinity up to 6 dsm-1 in T2 (74.7%) with the application of 10 mg L-1 proline. Total protein content in leaves varied significantly among the different treatments applied. The lowest and highest value was observed in T2 (19.3 mg g-1), T3 (17.6 mg g-1) and control (17.3 mg g-1) at 90 DAT. T. erecta under the treatment of 6 dsm-1 sea water and 10 mg L-1 proline showed highest level of alkaloid content (1.356 mg g-1) when compared to control (1.034 mg g-1). Highest marketable flower yield was recorded in control (148.7 g/plant), which was significantly superior to all other treatments. Under sea water irrigation, the highest marketable flower yield was recorded in T2 (123.3 g/plant) followed by T3 (114.3 g/plant). From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that, the seedling treatments of proline at lower dose (10 mg L-1) can be used as a good tool in the enhancement of biomass yield and alkaloid contents in floriculture crops such as marigold under saline irrigation.

Tagetes erecta, seawater, proline, stress

"Exogenous application of proline on growth, physiological adaptability and flower quality of Tagetes erecta L. (Marigold) grown under sea water irrigation", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no.c11-c24, August-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308202.pdf

"Exogenous application of proline on growth, physiological adaptability and flower quality of Tagetes erecta L. (Marigold) grown under sea water irrigation", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no. ppc11-c24, August-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308202.pdf